By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

Illinois American Water, which serves Pontiac and Saunemin in Livingston County, ranked the highest in the Midwest in JD Power 2016 Water Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study.

This first-time national study was based on more than 20,000 responses, representing more than 83 million residential customers of the 84 largest water utilities in the United States.

Karen Cotton, spokesperson for Illinois American Water, elaborated on the recognition.

“We are so proud that we ranked the highest in the Midwest on Customer Satisfaction. I think it’s a real testament to our employees, too. Everything we do centers around our customers and we talk about it every day. We know that it’s such a personal service to provide water service to our customers, to our friends and neighbors and family. We really take that seriously and have pride in that. I think that resonates in the customer satisfaction and the outcome of this survey,” Cotton said.

For more information, visit Illinoisamwater.com.